Project details

Summary

What is the study about? What are you trying to find out?

The aim of this study is to find out whether a new kind of therapy group, called “group mindfulness therapy”, will help people learn new ways of managing and living with distressing paranoia.

In total, about 144 people will take part in the study. Half of these people will be offered the therapy group as well as their usual treatment, and half will not be offered the therapy but will continue with their usual care.

What does taking part involve?

If you decide to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form (you will be given a copy to keep along with this information sheet

You will complete a research assessment, which will involve answering some questions about your current difficulties and your general well-being. This should take no longer than an hour

You will then be randomly allocated to either attend a therapy group or to continue with your usual care. This will be done by computer. Random allocation means by chance, a bit like flipping a coin. This is to make sure the study is a fair test.

If you are allocated to a therapy group: you would be invited to join a therapy group. You will also continue to receive your usual care from your care team. Participating in the study will not interfere with the usual care you receive from your care team.

The therapy group will be run by two therapists and attended by approximately 12 service users who experience distressing paranoia. The group would consist of the same people each week and will meet weekly for 10 weeks. These meetings would each last for approximately 1½ hours (including a break).

The therapy group will involve you and the other group members getting to know each other and learning about each other’s experiences of paranoia. You will only be asked to share experiences that you feel comfortable sharing in the group. The group sessions will focus on the way you think and will explore different ways of managing distress. All discussions would be at a pace that felt comfortable for you and would be within your control. You would not be asked to do anything with which you did not agree. You will also learn mindfulness skills each week.

When the group therapy has finished you will be asked to complete the research assessment again. This should take no longer than one hour. You will then be contacted again 3 months after finishing the therapy to complete the research assessment for the last time. You will be paid £10 after each assessment as a ‘thank you’ for completing the questions (up to £30 in total).

If you are not allocated to a therapy group: you will continue to receive your usual care from your care team. Participating in the study will not interfere with the care you receive from your care team.

You will be asked to complete the same set of questions again approximately 4 months after the first research assessment, and for a final time approximately 8 months after the first research assessment. Each assessment should take no longer than an hour. You will be paid £10 after each assessment as a ‘thank you’ for completing the questions (up to £30 in total).

Who is it for?

You have been invited to take part because your care team has identified that you might want some help in reducing how distressed you are feeling.

Why is it important? 

The therapy group used in this study is a new type of therapy group. By taking part in the study you will be helping us to learn if this therapy is helpful for people with distressing paranoia and this will help mental health services when they are planning what therapies they offer.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page. 

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, click the button below to email the research team:

Email the research team